Final answer:
The wires connecting parts of an electrical system are known as conductors. When considering the resistance of wires made of the same material, it would depend on the length and gauge of the wires as described in Figure 20.48.
Step-by-step explanation:
The wires that connect the parts of an electrical system together are also known as conductors. In the context of your question regarding Figure 20.48, if the four wires are made from the same material, the following statements would be true regarding their resistance, given that resistance in a wire depends on the material, length, and cross-sectional area (derivatively, the diameter or gauge):
- a. Resistance of Wire 3 > Resistance of Wire 2
- d. Resistance of Wire 4 < Resistance of Wire 3
In electric circuits, the AWG (American Wire Gauge) is a standardized system used in the United States to denote the size of electrical wire gauges. The gauge of a wire is important as it determines the current-carrying capacity of the conductors, with larger gauges (which paradoxically mean smaller diameter) carrying less current. The wires, which carry electric power, are typically made of conducting materials like copper, allowing for the flow of electrons to power various devices.